457 visa makeover

October 02, 2008

Immigration Minister Chris Evans introduced amendments to migration legistration aiming to tighten up the 457 Visa Scheme however employers will have to wait until the end of the year to learn what extra obligations may be imposed.

Last financial year, the 457 Visa Scheme allowed nearly 60,000 skilled workers to enter the country, despite sparking controversy in some sectors of industry amongst fears of "negative perceptions".

Senator Evans told parliament, "the economy desperately needs access to temporary skilled labour, but this is only sustainable if the community is confident that temporary overseas workers are not being exploited or used to undermine local wages and conditions."

A government consultative panel, which consists of industry and union representatives as well as Barbara Deegan, the commonwealth's integrity adviser on 457s, will put forward precise new obligations for employers.

Source: The Australian Financial Review